Might as well get it started with MLB's Opening Day lineup projection. Projecting Rangers' 2020 Opening Day roster The discussion before the projection appears to be along the lines that we have been discussing.
Still hard to nail down the roster until they have 3B filled. If Arenado would (a) waive his no-trade clause and accept the trade and (b) extend his contract by removing the buyout clause, it would be an attractive deal - but that's asking a lot. Apparently a Donaldson deal is off the table. Frazier as a stop-gap? Really would like to see Gallo stay in RF - makes good use of his strong throwing. Castellanos at 1B? Has he ever played there? And what to do about catcher? Mathis can't bat his weight. Still some questions to be answered, and it's only 37 days until pitchers and catchers report.
Needs: At least 1 SP (preferably 2); 3B; Catcher; a plan for 2B if Odor comes out of the gate slowly. They have to do something about Gallo's K's. Several batting coaches have tried and all have failed. Every team in MLB knows if they can get him to two strikes all they have to do is throw either down and in or up and in and he will whiff. He has to learn that with two strikes the swing has to be compacted.
Looks like one position has been addressed - https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/mlb/texas-rangers/article239061953.html?. That brings Chirinos back to the Rangers. Now we'll have to see what they do for 3B.
Probably not how the Rangers wanted the catcher situation to end, but at least they can focus on the other issues now.
^Not a bad patchwork fix at catcher. Takes care of a year or two and lets the team develop their catcher of the future in the minors - and at a reasonable cost. And Chirinos is a known quantity.
Agree ^^^^ only if everyone understands it is only for a year. R's have to find another catcher in the Pudge tradition.
Over-Under win projection for 2020: Texas Rangers 2020 Win Total Over/Under at 79.5 Not sure what my prediction will be just yet because I want to see some of spring training and how the lineup really shakes out but based on the starting pitching that was brought in it will likely be somewhere north of 81 which would mean a winning season.
Agree ^^^^^^. Without seeing the Opening Day roster somewhere around .500 is fair. If most of the pitchers pitch up to their historical average; an infield that can field; and a reasonable number of less k's in critical situations and 85 to 90 is attainable.
^I'm going to wait a bit before I jump in with a prediction. If the Rangers can add a decent RH bat to improve the offense, the team will look better. I like the potential for the starting pitchers, but the team needs some more offense, especially with Mazara traded away. Frazier will add some to the offense, but one more decent RH bat would help a bunch (maybe Castellanas?).
T.R. Sullivan's (via MLB) Rangers 2020 Starting Rotation: Rangers The Rangers say they feel much better about their rotation going into Spring Training than they have in several years. They will have reason to feel that way if Corey Kluber makes a strong comeback from the fractured forearm that limited him to seven starts last season. If so, Texas has a formidable trio at the top of its rotation. Five veteran starters give the Rangers a chance to give young left-handers Brock Burke, Kolby Allard and Joe Palumbo more development time in the Minor Leagues. -- T.R. Sullivan Rotation if the season started today: 1) Mike Minor 2) Lance Lynn 3) Corey Kluber 4) Kyle Gibson 5) Jordan Lyles How long until Burke and Allard replace Gibson and Lyles?
That may be the best rotation in the AL West (with Cole gone from Houston). Hope everyone lives up to his potential and stays healthy. JD still needs to add a RH power bat to help the offense - and it looks like Castellanos is off the block now. Next step, JD???
JD still trying to find nuggets in the cast-off's: Texas Rangers: Cody Allen signing represents low-risk, high-reward deal
Viper, I have no objection to JD hunting in the bargain bin - as stated, it's low-risk, low-cost, and a potentially relatively high reward. If it doesn't pan out, it cost very little.
I agree HHD, but a good rule is don't get caught in the morass of the cast-off's at the cost of missing out on the good stuff. (I realize we don't know the financial constraints ownership has placed on him.)
^Good point, Viper. JD may be working quietly on a significant trade opportunity (for example, Arenado, just to name one) behind the scenes - and we wouldn't necessarily know about it. It still costs very little to scrounge through the bargain bin, and he might find a nugget in the process. But he needs to wrap it up pretty quickly - Spring training starts in earnest next week, and if he wants to look at potential nuggets, he needs them in camp right away to get maximum exposure.
MLB 2020 Rule Changes: MLB announces new rule changes, including three-batter minimum, extra roster spot
^This is career-ending (or at least career-limiting) for the LH relief specialist, who typically came in during a late inning to face one LH batter. Now, unless he gets that batter to end the inning, he'll have to face the next batter, also. Some of the old-timer lefties carved out a nice place for themselves facing that one LH batter and thus extended their careers - now it will be a lot tougher for them.
^I head a rumor that the Rangers will start the season with a 0-0 record, which, if true, would make them tied for first in the AL West.
and tied for the best record in baseball! Right now with only knowing the starting pitching staff, I would say 10-15% chance of making the playoffs. A lot is going to depend on Gallo somehow learning not to swing at inside up or down pitches with two strikes and proof that the infield can field.
Interesting article focusing on an in-house answer to the Rangers' catching situation: Next Piazza? Mauer? Maybe this Texas prospect I would settle for the closest to Pudge.
^Good write-up on Sam Huff - he sounds like a top-notch prospect. He is a very good Plan A. But thing happen - players don't live up to their potential, they get hurt and can't play anymore, and so on. So it helps to have a Plan B (and a Plan C, and a Plan D). Hope JD has some other plans in mind, too.
Fellow Ranger fanatics, assuming coronavirus fears don't affect my flight etc., I will be in the stands tomorrow in Maryvale to see our Rangers take on the Brewers. If the rotation holds then I will see Gibson who stands to be the number 4/5 starter pitch. Will post thoughts and observations after game. Sunday I am going with some friends to the Cubs-Diamondbacks game as I have never been to a Cubs spring training game in Mesa and hear those are quite the event. Of course that is a split team game as most of the Cubs will be in Vegas for a game so who knows what that may offer in terms of quality baseball. Here is Evan Grant's latest lineup predictions: Rangers roster projection, version 4.0: The puzzle may not be complete, but all of Texas’ pieces are visible Spring training is humming along and we are just a few weeks from the regular season and a new stadium so my excitement level is rising and will probably take off after this quick getaway weekend to Phoenix.
